Istanbul Set to Take Centre Stage in World Boxing
Istanbul is preparing for a high-profile December in the ring. The city will host the 2026 International Boxing Association (IBA) Congress and the finals of the inaugural IBA President’s Cup, a tournament offering a total prize fund of $3 million. The events are scheduled for December 5 and 6 and are expected to bring representatives of more than 120 national boxing federations to Türkiye.
The announcement came at an IBA press conference held on October 6 at Çırağan Palace Kempinski. Among the most prominent figures at the event was British heavyweight Derek Chisora, known to fans as “Del Boy.” He appeared alongside IBA President Umar Kremlev and IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE, and revealed plans for a December bout with Murat “Iron” Gassiev.
Chisora said he expects to face the Russian heavyweight in England, with two belts at stake. Kremlev voiced his support for the proposed matchup during the press conference. Gassiev, a WBA heavyweight champion, would provide a formidable opponent for a fighter who has spent much of his career meeting elite names in the division.
Chisora has fought Tyson Fury three times and shared the ring with former world champions and leading contenders, including Vitali Klitschko and Oleksandr Usyk. His record of high-profile contests has made him one of heavyweight boxing’s most recognisable and outspoken personalities. The prospect of another major fight against Gassiev adds a new chapter to a career built around challenging opponents and headline-making performances.
The British boxer also looked back on the beginnings of his “Del Boy” persona. Early in his career, he entered the ring carrying the Union Jack and accompanied by music from the television comedy *Only Fools and Horses*. Chisora described those appearances as the moment the nickname and character took shape.
A $3 million prize fund for the President’s Cup
The December finals in Istanbul will mark the first edition of the IBA President’s Cup. The overall prize pool is $3 million, with each champion set to receive $100,000. Boxers will also earn rewards for victories from the opening rounds, giving competitors an incentive throughout the tournament rather than only at the final stage.
The structure is intended to make the competition financially significant for athletes across the field. For many boxers, prize money earned during earlier rounds can help cover training and preparation costs, while a championship victory offers a substantial reward. The tournament is therefore positioned not only as a showcase for elite boxing but also as a direct investment in the athletes taking part.
Kremlev also announced plans to increase the prize fund at the next World Championship to $20 million. Under the proposed allocation, athletes who win gold medals would receive $1 million each. The announcement signals the IBA’s aim to raise the financial profile of its major competitions and make success in amateur boxing more rewarding.
Congress, forum and fan events
The IBA Congress will bring together delegates from more than 120 national federations, placing Istanbul at the centre of discussions about the sport’s international development. Alongside the formal congress programme, organisers plan to hold a Global Boxing Forum, adding a platform for wider conversations about the future of boxing.
The programme will also include a new IBA award for journalists covering the sport. Its introduction highlights the role of media in documenting competitions, athletes and developments across the boxing world.
Fans and visitors will have opportunities to take part as well. The IBA Punch event will invite members of the public to test their punching power, while the launch of the mobile game IBA Game will add an interactive element to the schedule.
With an international congress, a major prize-money tournament and the prospect of a Chisora-Gassiev showdown in the same month, Istanbul is set to attract attention from both boxing professionals and fans. The December programme combines competition, industry gatherings and public activities, giving the city a prominent role in the sport’s global calendar.